IELTS Speaking Part 1

Mornings: Part 1 questions and answers

Real Part 1 questions about mornings, as candidates reported them. Play each one, answer it out loud, then open a short Band 7 reply to compare.

Today's topicMornings

4–5 minthe whole part
~12questions
~20 seach answer

Answer, add a reason or an example, then stop. The examiner moves on fast, so short and real wins.

Reported in July 2026

Question 1: Do you like getting up early in the morning?

Yes/no questionDon't stop at yes or no. Say why.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerProbably not. WhyI mean, I work in office, so waking up before seven feels a bit rough, and I prefer starting slowly. ExampleOn busy days, I leave from my flat at 7:20, and I usually press the snooze button once.

Why it's a Band 7

I mean, I work in office The filler makes the answer sound naturally spoken.
waking up before seven feels a bit rough Rough is general instead of saying tiring or difficult.
press the snooze button This is a natural collocation for delaying getting up.
leave from my flat An extra word: leave my flat is correct.
I work in office A missing article: I work in an office is correct.

About 16 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Take it further: Are you more of a morning person or an evening person, and why?

Question 2: What do you usually do in the morning?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerI usually make coffee and check my messages before leaving. WhyI do that because mornings feel rushed, so I prepare a few things for work and look over my schedule on the bus. ExampleSometimes I forget my access card and return home.

Why it's a Band 7

a few things for work Things is vague instead of naming documents or tasks.
prepare a few things for work and look over The simple linker and is repeated naturally.
return home A plain choice; go back home would be more precise.

About 17 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 3: What did you do in the morning when you were little?

About the pastUse the past: I used to, I remember…

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerWhen I was little, I used to wake up to my mother calling me for school. WhyI’d wash quickly and eat a nice breakfast, and then watch cartoons before the school bus came. ExampleI still remember one winter morning when I hid under the blanket for ten minutes.

Why it's a Band 7

a nice breakfast Nice is vague, so hot would be more precise.
I’d wash quickly and eat a nice breakfast, and then The simple linker and is repeated in a spoken style.

About 19 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 4: Has your morning routine changed much since you were a child?

Yes/no questionDon't stop at yes or no. Say why.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerYes, quite a bit. WhyAs child, I could take my time because my mum got everything ready for me, but now I have to get ready for work and leave early, and I often feel rushed. ExampleThese days I fit in a short walk near my building, which is a nice change.

Why it's a Band 7

fit in a short walk Fit in is the natural phrasal verb for finding time for something.
get ready for work and leave early, and I The simple linker and is repeated naturally.
got everything ready for me, but now I have to get ready Ready is used twice; prepared would add variety.
a nice change A plain choice; a welcome change would be more precise.
As child A missing article: As a child is correct.

About 21 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 5: Do you do the same things on weekday and weekend mornings?

Yes/no questionDon't stop at yes or no. Say why.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerNo, I don’t do the same things. WhyOn weekdays, I get up at six-thirty and go straight to work, while at weekends I sleep longer and have breakfast in the balcony. ExampleLast Friday was especially rushed, but on Saturday I sat there for nearly half an hour.

Why it's a Band 7

the same things Things is vague instead of naming particular activities.
go straight to work This precise phrasal expression clearly shows a weekday habit.
in the balcony A preposition slip: on the balcony is correct.

About 19 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Phrases to borrow

press the snooze button

/pres ðə snuːz ˈbʌtən/

delay getting up by pressing an alarm button

I pressed the snooze button twice this morning.

look over something

/lʊk ˈəʊvə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

check something quickly

Could you look over this email before I send it?

wake up to something

/weɪk ʌp tə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

wake because of a sound or event

I woke up to heavy rain yesterday.

fit something in

/fɪt ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɪn/

find time for something

I try to fit a short workout in after work.

go straight to something

/ɡəʊ streɪt tə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

go directly somewhere

After breakfast, I go straight to the station.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

Phrases from the answers above. Pick the one that belongs in the gap.

Your turn: answer the examiner

Do you do the same things on weekday and weekend mornings?

Answer, add a reason or an example, then stop: about 20 seconds. Nothing is uploaded.

Want a band score?Sign in free, answer the examiner's Part 1 questions out loud and get one thing to fix.

Practise Part 1

Question 1: Do you like getting up early in the morning?

Question 2: What do you usually do in the morning?

Question 3: What did you do in the morning when you were little?

Question 4: Has your morning routine changed much since you were a child?

Question 5: Do you do the same things on weekday and weekend mornings?

Which phrase fits?

More Part 1 topics